Mission Control Links

Fan Art Featuring Jeff!

This week we opened our email here at Mission Control and found this amazing rendition of Jeff by Denver Brubaker, creator of the fantastic comic-noir Tales of a Checkered Man!

And how cool is it that Denver’s drawing depicts Jeff’s sense of smell the same week we’re focusing on one of his other senses? Denver says, “It’s been a long time comin’ but I finally finished my Ellie fan-art! I have had the pencils done on this pic of Jeff for quite some time now, but wanted to wait until I got more comfortable inking with a brush before I took the next step.” Using a brush is no easy feat, but it looks like he’s settled right in. It’s wonderful work and I’m tickled and touched that Denver’d spend so much time putting this together.

So, speaking of taste, go exercise yours by visiting Denver’s tribute to adventure pulps and caped crusaders: Tales of a Checkered Man! And if anyone else has a drawing of Jeff or Ellie, or even Muffin, send them in to jim@jimcandraw.com, or click on the contact button in the menu bar at the top! We’ll post them right here!

Thanks everyone! One thing that Jim and Ellie does for me is it makes me want to be a better artist–this is easily one of the most visually beautiful webcomcis on the internet. As such, I have been trying to ink more and more with a brush. When I first drew this pic a couple months ago I just didn’t feel like the static lines of a pen would be right for it and I also didn’t feel my comfort with a brush was quite there yet so I shelved this for a later date. I’m glad I did. I had a blast inking this one and feel pretty good about the loose brushwork, though it helps when you’re working with such great designs in the first place. Am I right? =o)

Thank you Denver. I can definitely say the same things about your work. I was listening to the interview you gave with Comics Coast To Coast where John Sanford of Chippy and Loopus suggested you had the chopps for storyboarding. It shows in the thoughtful way you set your scenes and how your characters (which are great designs) speak a lot of their emotions with body language. This has been something I’ve struggled with. So, just so you know, you inspire me right back!